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African-American culture springs from historical customs and activities that have their roots in shared experiences and perspectives. Because of external cultural influences and historical events, African-American cultural celebrations often mix traditional ethnic folkways with invented and borrowed art forms. Whether its film, music, literary or performance art, celebrations in African-American communities have a distinctive flavor that reflects the collective struggle and triumphs of this diverse culture.

National Black Arts Festival

The National Black Arts Festival is a week-long annual event in Atlanta, Georgia. Running since 1988 during July, the festival has gained supporters and devotees who travel from many corners of the world to participate in the scheduled events. Cultural performances encompass the entire range of African-American culture and arts. The festival showcases traditional and new music forms with film, theater, dance and spoken word performances, along with various exhibitions of African-American art forms, including sculpture, fine art and fashion. The National Black Arts Festival combines its cultural celebration with educational workshops on the arts, community issues and artist markets that give established talent and newcomers exposure to potential customers. National Black Arts Festival 1230 Peachtree Street NE Suite 500 Atlanta, GA 30309 404-730-7315 nbaf.org

Gullah Festival

South Carolina's Gullah Festival celebrates its 24th year in 2010 in Beaufort, South Carolina's Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. This Memorial Day weekend event focuses on the low-country culture of African-Americans, whose customs developed mainly offshore and retained a stronger connection to the traditions of the various African peoples enslaved on islands along the coast of South Carolina. This festival displays the music, crafts, food and art forms that the Gullah people have held onto during the transition from slavery to freedom. The 2009 festival featured local cuisine, a Black Invention Museum and performers who excel in interpreting Gullah music, song and dance. The Gullah Festival of South Carolina P.O Box 83 Beaufort, SC 20001 843-525-0628 gullahfestival.org

American Black Film Festival

Since it started in 1997, the American Black Film Festival has celebrated and promoted the work of independent black filmmakers along with screenwriters, directors and performers like Ice Cube, Halle Berry and Robert Townsend. The festival has premiered more than 500 African-American and urban films to date, in conjunction with HBO and Film Life, a New York entertainment marketing company. The annual event traditionally takes place in June at venues in Miami, Florida. The festival includes competitions, educational workshops and networking opportunities for people interested in this entertainment genre. American Black Film Festival c/oFilm Life P.O. Box 1975 New York, NY 10113 646-375-2144, ext. 1 abff.com

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About the Author

Carol Luther has more than 25 years of business, technology, and freelance writing experience. She has held leadership roles in higher education management, international development, adult education, vocational education, and small business support programs

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Images related to African American

Crispus Attucks, The First "Martyr" Of The American Revolution. He Was Of Native American And African-American Descent.

Graph showing the percentage of the African-American population living in the American South, 1790–2010. Note the major declines between 1910 and 1940 and 1940–1970, and the reverse trend post-1970. Nonetheless, the absolute majority of the African American population has always lived in the American South.

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